Tag: HSE

ALONE have launched a COVID-19 support line, which is available to all older people including those that have never used their services before. Supporting the clinical advice and information being provided by the HSE, ALONE’s support line is available at 0818 222 024 from 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

The ALONE helpline offers advice and support for COVID-19 and other issues that are arising for older people at this time, including difficulties in relation to physical and mental health, loneliness, isolation, finance, safety, and housing. As well as ongoing telephone support, volunteers are also collecting and delivering prescriptions, groceries or other necessary items for the older people. ALONE’s network of support is constantly expanding and evolving to meet the needs of older people throughout Ireland.

They are working in collaboration with Local Authorities and the Local Authority Community Response Forum providing practical supports to older and medically vulnerable people. ALONE’s support line has become the leading national number for ‘Community Call’, an initiative that links local and national Government with the community and voluntary sectors to provide support to older people and those who are at risk at this time. The partnership is crucial in mobilising a rapid response in every county to make sure everyone is looked after.

ALONE have since launched a dedicated referral line for professionals including Home Care Providers, Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, Hospitals, Primary Care, the HSE, GP’s, members of PPN’s and other community services, including pharmacy staff. This referral pathway is operational seven days a week, Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm, Saturday – Sunday 9am – 5pm by calling 01 223 3632. This number is specifically for professionals who wish to make a referral including your own staff, and all older people should continue to phone ALONE’s national support line number at 0818 222 024.

As family members, neighbours and communities return to work, there may be a reduction in supports available to those who are at risk. ALONE has highlighted that physical and mental health difficulties are causing increased challenges for older people, with many calling ALONE’s helpline to say they have fallen or are experiencing illness or pain, but do not want to go to GP surgeries or A&E due to anxiety around contracting COVID-19. Lack of access to chiropody and other services are having a direct impact on people’s ability to leave their home for exercise safely, and many callers indicate deconditioning and point to increasing frailty as a result of cocooning. ALONE have also noted a continuing increase in the number of older people expressing very low mood due to cocooning.

It is not yet know what the full impact of cocooning will have on our older people of Ireland, who are medically and socially vulnerable. So we are encouraging all older people experiencing difficulties to please seek help and for younger people to seek supports for older relatives and neighbours that Alone are offering. For more information visit https://alone.ie/

We would like to remind everyone to please use trusted sources only, for more information on COVID-19, healthcare and homecare workers information, mental health and the virus, government measures and employment please take a look at some of the below websites:

We have lots of job vacancies available nationwide, please have a look at the jobs section on our website for something near you. You can also call our homecare team on 1800 400 900 and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/myhomecare/

Home care in Ireland Is a rapidly growing service within our communities, with many more opting for this type of service for their personal care as opposed to hospital or nursing home services commonly used in the past. Considering the rapid expansion and demand in this sector it comes with a range of changes, challenges and guidelines being developed annually to ensure optimum service to the end user. CMG Events in Association with myhomecareie.wpengine.com have gathered an expert line up of presenters to address some of the most topical issues in the home care sector including;

How to meet the requirements of our Ageing Population.

Are we HIQA prepared?

How Best to develop relationships between nursing homes & homecare provisions.

Dementia Supports available to Homecare providers to name just a few.

Opening remarks from Conference Chairperson

Speaker: Dr Mary Rose Day, Midwife & Public Health Nurse, UCC

The role of HIQA in monitoring and regulating health & social care services

Speaker: Vicky Blomfield, Head of Programme, Corporate Projects. HIQA

The legal framework

Regulating and monitoring

Standards and Regulations

Registration and enforcement

The inspection process

Key findings so far

Getting ready for inspections

Supporting the Continuum of Care – Meeting the Requirement of our Ageing Population

Speaker: Tadhg Daly, CEO, Nursing Homes Ireland

Ageing Demographic

Demand for residential care exceeding supply

Development of ‘continuum of care’

Role of nursing home sector in complimentary services(homecare / day care / meals on wheels)

Nursing homes a hub of community services?

Primary Care

Independent living – care communities

Cohesive national strategy

Implications of inaction

The Single Assessment Tool (SAT) – HSE national implementation of a standardised comprehensive care needs assessment for older people